This is a more faithful adaptation of the film. A more technically complex production, it recreates the dialogue and structure of the MGM classic nearly scene for scene, though it is adapted for live stage performance. The musical material also provides more work for the SATB chorus and small vocal ensembles.

This original stage version (1942) is more theatrically conservative, using L. Frank Baum’s book as its inspiration. The story and the music are treated by the adapters as elements of a classic stage musical without reference to their use in the film. This version does not include Toto, but instead adds new characters like Gloria of Oz and Lord Growlie,

Two outstanding works published by Dramatic Publishing were chosen by the American Alliance for Theatre and Education (AATE) as the 2019 recipients of the AATE Distinguished Play & Distinguished Book Awards for their superiority in philosophy, approach, execution, and overall quality as titles for young audiences and performers.